Subjonctif Imparfait (Subjunctive Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb chronométrer

ByMichael Burns

Introduction to the verb chronométrer

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The English translation of the French verb chronométrer is “to time” or “to clock.” It is pronounced as “kro-no-me-tray.”

The word chronométrer is derived from the Greek word “chronos” meaning time, and the French suffix “-métrer” which is derived from the Greek word “metron” meaning measure. It is most often used in everyday French in the Subjonctif Imparfait tense to express a hypothetical or uncertain action in the past.

Here are three simple examples of its usage in the Subjonctif Imparfait tense with their respective English translations:

  1. Il fallait que je chronométrasse la course. (I had to time the race.)
  2. Je voulais que tu chronométrasses le temps qu’elle mettait pour arriver. (I wanted you to time how long it took her to arrive.)
  3. Il aurait fallu que nous chronométrassions chaque étape du processus. (We should have timed each step of the process.)

Table of the Subjonctif Imparfait (Subjunctive Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of chronométrer

Pronoun Conjugation Example Usage English Translation
je chronométrasse J’aimerais que je chronométrasse mieux. I wish I could time better.
tu chronométrasses Si tu chronométrasses plus précisément, tu gagnerais. If you timed more accurately, you would win.
il chronométrât Il serait fier s’il chronométrât le record. He would be proud if he timed the record.
elle chronométrât Elle serait déçue si elle chronométrât trop lentement. She would be disappointed if she timed too slowly.
on chronométrât Si on chronométrât ensemble, on serait plus efficace. If one timed together, one would be more efficient.
nous chronométrassions Si nous chronométrassions tous les participants, ça serait plus juste. If we timed all the participants, it would be more fair.
vous chronométrassiez Si vous chronométrassiez plus vite, vous auriez plus de temps libre. If you timed faster, you would have more free time.
ils chronométrassent S’ils chronométrassent avec un chronomètre, ça serait plus précis. If they timed with a stopwatch, it would be more accurate.
elles chronométrassent Si elles chronométrassent en équipe, elles se motiveraient mutuellement. If they timed as a team, they would motivate each other.

Other Conjugations for Chronométrer.

   
    Le Present (Present Tense) Conjugation of the French Verb chronométrer
   

    Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb chronométrer
   

    Passé Simple (Simple Past) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb chronométrer
   

    Passé Composé (Present Perfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb chronométrer
   

    Futur Simple (Simple Future) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb chronométrer
   

    Futur Proche (Near Future) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb chronométrer
   

    Plus-que-parfait (Pluperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb chronométrer
   

    Passé Antérieur (Past Anterior) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb chronométrer

    Futur Antérieur (Future Anterior) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb chronométrer

    Subjonctif Présent (Subjunctive Present) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb chronométrer

    Subjonctif Passé (Subjunctive Past) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb chronométrer
   

    Subjonctif Imparfait (Subjunctive Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb chronométrer (this article)

    Subjonctif Plus-que-parfait (Subjunctive Pluperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb chronométrer
   

    Conditionnel Présent (Conditional Present) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb chronométrer
   

    Conditionnel Passé (Conditional Past) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb chronométrer

    L’impératif Présent (Imperative Present) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb chronométrer

    L’infinitif Présent (Infinitive Present) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb chronométrer

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Chronométrer – About the French Subjonctif Imparfait (Subjunctive Imperfect) Tense

The French Subjonctif Imparfait, also known as the imperfect subjunctive, is a verb tense used to express actions, states, or conditions that are uncertain, subjective, or hypothetical in the past. It is used in a variety of situations, including wishes, doubts, emotions, and polite requests, and often occurs in dependent clauses following certain expressions and conjunctions.

NOTE: To take a deep dive into all the French tenses then see my article on Mastering French Tense Conjugation.

Formation

To form the Subjonctif Imparfait, you typically start with the third person plural (ils/elles) form of the verb in the imparfait (imperfect) tense. Then, you remove the -ent ending and add the appropriate endings:

– For regular -er verbs: je -sse, tu -sses, il/elle/on -t, nous -ssions, vous -ssiez, ils/elles -ssent.
– For regular -ir and -re verbs: je -sse, tu -sses, il/elle/on -t, nous -ssions, vous -ssiez, ils/elles -ssent.

Common Everyday Usage Patterns

1. Expressing Doubt or Uncertainty: The Subjonctif Imparfait is used to express doubt or uncertainty about something that happened in the past.

Example: Il doutait qu’elle vînt à la fête. (He doubted that she came to the party.)

2. Wishes and Desires: It is used to express wishes or desires in the past.

Example: J’aurais aimé que tu fusses là. (I would have liked you to be there.)

3. Hypothetical Scenarios: The Subjonctif Imparfait is employed in hypothetical situations in the past.

Example: Si j’eusse su, j’aurais agi différemment. (If I had known, I would have acted differently.)
4. Polite Requests and Suggestions: It is used to make polite requests and suggestions in a formal or polite tone.

Example: Il souhaitait que vous vinssiez lui rendre visite. (He wished that you would come to visit him.)

Interactions with Other Tenses

Subjonctif Présent

The Subjonctif Imparfait is often used in dependent clauses with the Subjonctif Présent in the main clause, especially in complex sentences.

Example: Il faut que tu manges bien pour que tu aies de l’énergie. (You need to eat well so that you have energy.)

Indicatif Passé Composé

The Subjonctif Imparfait can be used alongside the Indicatif Passé Composé to indicate a contrast between a factual event and a hypothetical one.

Example: Il est parti avant que tu ne fusses arrivé. (He left before you arrived.)

Conditional

The Subjonctif Imparfait is often used with the Conditional to express unreal or hypothetical situations in the past.

Example: J’aurais pu le faire si j’eusse eu plus de temps. (I could have done it if I had had more time.)

Conditional Perfect

It can also be used with the Conditional Perfect to express unreal or hypothetical past events that would have occurred before other past events.

Example: J’aurais su s’il eût partagé l’information. (I would have known if he had shared the information.)

Summary

The Subjonctif Imparfait is a relatively complex tense, and its usage depends on the context and the verbs involved. It is essential to practice and become familiar with common expressions and contexts where this tense is appropriate to use it effectively in everyday French communication.

I hope you enjoyed this article on the verb chronométrer. Still in a learning mood? Check out another TOTALLY random French verb conjugation!

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